How can a mariner go abroad: an instruction from the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine

On Saturday, August 27, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed sailors of certain categories to cross the border. One of the conditions for departure is the presence of permission from the Military Commissariat.

The new rules define 3 categories of sailors who can cross the border of Ukraine:

students (cadets) of the educational establishments;

mariners – crew members of the vessels, departing from the ports of Ukraine;

seamen, who cross the state border of Ukraine to exit and other checkpoints.

To cross the border the mariners have to provide the following documents:

• seafarer’s identity card (for everyone);

• a certificate from the educational institution about the internship (only for cadets);

• military registration documents with marks from the territorial center of manning and social support, and information on the seafarer’s relationship to military duty (not required from crew members of vessels departing from ports of Ukraine);

• ship role (crew list) — only for sailors in the crews of ships departing from the ports of Ukraine;

• confirmation from the Shipping Administration on receipt of copies of educational and qualification documents (for everyone, except students);

• a current employment contract (contract) for work on a ship or a letter from the shipowner/operator of the ship’s intention to enter into a contract (only for seafarers who cross the border at checkpoints).

• seaman identity card (for everyone);
• a certificate from the educational institution about the internship (for cadets only);
• military registration documents with marks from the territorial center of manning and social support, and information on the mariner’s relationship to military duty (not required from crew members of vessels departing from ports of Ukraine);
• crew list — only for sailors in the crews of ships departing from the ports of Ukraine; 
•  confirmation from the Shipping Administration on receipt of copies of educational and qualification documents (for everyone, except students); 
•  a current employment contract  for work on a ship or a letter from the shipowner/operator of the ship’s intention to enter into a contract (only for seafarers who cross the border at checkpoints). 

To obtain permission to leave the country, the mariners must apply to the military commissariat within 7 days after receiving confirmation from the Shipping Administration.

The seamen will not be able to cross the border of Ukraine if:

• more than 12 months have passed since the conclusion of the previous employment contract. 
• the mariner has been in Ukraine for less than 5 months.

In its turn, the mariner’s stay outside Ukraine cannot exceed the term of the employment contract (contract).